Almost 80% of children who survive cancer develop chronic health conditions after treatment. Secondary cancers are very common.
Only 5% of oncology drugs had a pediatric recommendation when they were first developed. Cancer drugs are not designed for children. Children’s bodies are not little adult bodies.
Nearly 16,000 children and adolescents in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year.
Childhood cancer rates have been rising in recent years, even though adult cancer rates have declined.
The truth is, pediatric cancer is not good business for big pharma. So while work is being done to develop new therapies aimed at treating cancer in children, the burden is being shouldered by a few devoted researchers, clinicians, and institutions. These new therapies will save lives.
This work can progress faster. The obstacle is money. We can change that.
